BETA is a consortium of Fort Lauderdale, Hollywood and county governments.

Members of the Minority Builders Coalition have agreed to take on the six trainees, who will be given an orientation beginning in August, Cregan said.

``They`ll go into a classroom situation where they`ll be taught the basics of business: bookkeeping, taxes, marketing, that kind of thing,`` he said.

From October until March 1987, the apprentices will work in the field for contractors, learning the basics of painting amidst an ongoing building boom.

``It`s a very structured program and the stuff they need to learn how to do is complicated,`` Cregan said. ``We chose painting because it`s more achievable than something like plumbing, where you need to get a union apprenticeship and a masters license.

``The cost of opening a painting business is also less.``

After May, once the six are set to open businesses, they`ll get individual help from BETA and the Service Corps of Retired Executives and other volunteer organizations. That will help clear away some of the red tape, Cregan said.

``We`re not going to consider the job done until these guys are in business.``

Special incentives also are increasingly available for minority-owned firms to get work on county and other government contracts, county officials said.

Gillis said, ``We`re trying to develop a cadre of new businesses. (Painters) are already in demand in support of our housing program. They`ll be needed.``

PAINTING PROGRAM

The entrepreneurial painting program is open to minorities and economically disadvantaged people. Applications for the six positions are available by calling the Broward Employment and Training Administration at 765-4541.

Painting contractors who want to hire minority trainees should call BETA at the same number. BETA offers programs that repay part of the training costs.

More information is available at BETA offices in central Broward at 330 N. Andrews Ave., in Fort Lauderdale; in south Broward at 4205 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, and in north Broward at 1301 W. Copans Road, Pompano Beach.